For A New Year - New Beginnings

2023.12.31. SERMON FOR A NEW YEAR - NEW BEGINNINGS

William Akehurst, HSWC

BIG IDEA: As we come to the New Year, we must put off the old and put on the New. Put off the former and take on CHRIST.

Guidance and Instruction from GOD's WORD for a New Year, a New Start, and New Beginnings, IN CHRIST.

KEY SCRIPTURE: Philippians 3:12—4:1

Scriptures: Philippians 3:12-4:1, Colossians 2:6-7, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Mark 8:36, 1 Corinthians 15:58, Hebrews 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 43:18-19, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Matthew 6:33, Proverbs 3:5-8, Ephesians 4:21-24, 1 Peter 1:13-16, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 Peter 1:3-5, John 14:1-6, Hebrews 10:24-25, Matthew 5:16, 2 Peter 1:3-11, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Chronicles 16:11-12, Psalms 34:8, Lamentations 3:40-41, Psalms 90:12, Acts 3:19, Galatians 2:20, Colossians 3:1-4, Joshua 1:8-9, Philippians 1:3-6, Philippians 1:7-11

PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL

Philippians 3:12 - 4:1 (NKJV)

12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

GOD IS NOT DONE WITH YOU YET, THERE IS MORE…

13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,

PUT THE PAST BEHIND, AND MOVE ONWARD

FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND.

• The Bad

• The Failures

• The Hurts

• Sin – Confess it, forget it, and move on

• Disappointments

• Stupid decisions

We also leave behind blessings and achievements. I’m not suggesting we forget them.

• Our Time Together as Believers in CHRIST

• Birthdays

• Other blessings (testimonies)

• Personally, some firsts: my son’s wedding, my first grandbaby, a new home, my daughter’s engagement and numerous other blessings.

14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

PRESS ON TO THE GOAL AND PRIZE IN CHRIST AS GOD HAS CALLED YOU.

REACHING FOR THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE AHEAD OF US

• Pressing toward the mark, the goal, the finish line

• The end of the race

• The upward calling of GOD (Including the hope for the Rapture).

15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

LET THE SPIRITUALLY MATURE BE IN AGREEMENT, AND IF NOT, GOD WILL REVEAL IT TO YOU.

16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

HOLD ON TO THE PROGRESS WE’VE MADE AND CONTINUE FORWARD

OUR CITIZENSHIP IN HEAVEN

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.

PATTERN YOUR LIFE AFTER CHRIST, AND BE A PATTERN FOR OTHERS

• Following together

• Walk by the same rule

• Walk close to GOD

Colossians 2:6-7 6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

TO GLORIFY HIM IN GODLY LIVING.

1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

LET US MIND THE SAME THING.

• We should all be going in one direction, HIS WAY

• Following the LORD

• Honoring the Great Commission.

18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:

19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

IT SADDENS ME THAT SO MANY ARE SATISFIED IN THEIR LIVES, AND ARE HEADED TO HELL. CHURCH BUILDINGS ARE FILLED WITH TRUE BELIEVERS, AND THOSE WHO CALL THEMSELVES CHRISTIANS, BUT ARE HEADED FOR DESTRUCTION, WITH LUSTFUL APPETITES AND MINDS SET ON EARTHLY THINGS.

Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

AS BELIEVERS IN CHRIST, WE ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN AND LIVE BY A HIGHER CALLING. WAITING FOR HIS RETURN

• We live by a HIGHER CALLING

• Our citizenship is in heaven

• Not in this world.

21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

HE WILL TAKE OUR WEAK, MORTAL BODIES AND CHANGE THEM INTO GLORIOUS BODIES LIKE HIS OWN USING THAT SAME POWER WITH WHICH HE WILL BRING EVERYTHING UNDER HIS CONTROL.